Source: BBC
When scientists announced a new record ocean temperature in April of this year, one new research highlighted the extent of the problem: The planet has accumulated nearly as much heat in the past 15 years as it did in the 45 years before, and much of that excess energy has gone into the oceans.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed that the average ocean surface temperature reached 21.1°C in early April—beating the previous high set in 2016 of 21°C. More worryingly, while global sea surface temperatures have increased a fraction, regional warming has, in some cases, been extreme: In March, surface temperatures Sea water off the east coast of North America was up to 13.8°C higher than the 1981–2011 mean sea surface temperature.
Why such rapid changes occur is not fully understood, but scientists agree that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)—Thailand’s cycle of warm and cold sea surface temperatures Tropical Binh Duong—playing an important role. Three years of La Niña—a cool period—across the tropical Pacific Ocean has reduced temperatures, reducing the warming impact of increased greenhouse gas emissions. But the researchers believe the “three dips” La Niña is coming to an end and a strong El Niño weather phenomenon will follow in the coming months.
While air temperatures have increased by more than 1.5°C since pre-industrial times, ocean surface temperatures have increased by a smaller amount, about 0.9°C over pre-industrial times. However, the consequences are severe: loss of species due to more frequent and prolonged sea heat waves, more dangerous storms and cyclones, and more severe coastal flooding due to water levels. sea rise. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, it seems these are the grim realities we will have to get used to.
Read more This.
